Dear Friends,

I hope you are staying safe and healthy at home during the Coronavirus pandemic. It's crucial to maintain social distancing and limit your trips out right now to slow the spread of the virus.

According to projections by the Wisconsin Hospital Association, the number of patients needing hospitalization could exceed capacity in our hospitals in three to five weeks. The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr. John Raymond, is concerned a surge of seriously ill patients could hit our health care system in the coming weeks.

In an effort to " flatten the curve" during the Coronavirus pandemic, Wisconsin is now under a "Safer at Home" order. For many of us, that means staying at home and only going out when necessary. For many others, our state is counting on them to continue to do their jobs. Please take a moment to read a summary of the order below.

There are some confusing parts of the order. If you believe your company deserves to be on the list of essential businesses, please visit the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's website. I am also sending letters to Governor Evers asking for exemptions for golf courses and more consistency on what jobs landscapers are allowed to do under the order.

Last week, I sent you many helpful links to help get through this crisis. Those links are still available on my website.

This week, I have more information including help if you have lost your job, help if your business is shutdown, where you can vote early, and how you can help others through the crisis.

As always, if you have any concerns or ideas on how to improve our great state, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at 608-266-5830 or by email at Sen.Darling@legis.wisconsin.gov.

On, Wisconsin!
Governor Issues Safer at Home Order
Beginning at 8:00 am on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 everyone in Wisconsin must stay at their home or place of residence. The order will remain in effect until Friday, April 24, 2020 or until another order supersedes it.
 
The order will be enforced by law enforcement and may carry a $250 fine or 30 days imprisonment.
 
The order prohibits gatherings that are larger than just the members of a single household - no sleepovers, play dates or dinner parties.
 
Interactions allowed under the order must still adhere to the social distancing requirements of keeping 6 feet away from another person.
 
Non-essential business and operations must cease. 
  • Does not apply to:
  • Minimum Basic Operations - to maintain value of inventory, preserve condition of the physical plant/equipment, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits.
  • Any operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their own home or residences (i.e., working from home).
  • All businesses shall use technology whenever possible to avoid meeting face to face.
  • No door-to-door solicitations allowed.
  • All essential businesses are encouraged to stay open but must maintain 6 feet between people.
 
These are considered essential businesses: 
  • Healthcare and Public Health Operations
  • Human Services Operations
  • Essential Infrastructure
  • Essential Government Functions
  • Any business identified in the US Dept of Homeland Security Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in a memo on COVID-19 response
  • Stores that sell groceries and medicine
  • Grocery stores, bakeries, pharmacies, food banks/pantries, convenience stores, pet supplies, butchers, alcoholic beverages
  • Food and beverage production, transport and agriculture
  • F&B manufacturing, processing, farming, fishing, baking, animal shelters, kennels, farm and agricultural equipment, supplies and repair services
  • Restaurants shall close except for take-out or delivery service only
  • Bars, breweries, distilleries, wineries, brewpubs must close but are allowed to do carryout sales, if already permitted by state law
  • Delivery of alcohol beverages is prohibited
  • Child care shall prioritize care for families of workers in health care, military, residential care centers, pharmacies, utilities, grocery stores, etc.
  • Organizations that provide charitable and social services
  • Weddings, funerals and religious facilities are allowed except the gathering must be fewer than 10 people in a room
  • Media - newspapers, television, radio
  • Gas stations and businesses needed for transportation 
  • Banks, credit unions and other financial institutions
  • Hardware and supply stores
  • Tradesmen and Tradeswomen - plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc.
  • Post offices and other shipping and delivery services
  • Laundromats and dry cleaners
  • Businesses that sell or manufacture supplies for people to work from home
  • Businesses that sell or manufacture supplies for other essential businesses and essential governmental functions
  • Airlines, taxis, Uber/Lyft, car rental companies, and public transit
  • Home based care for seniors and people with disabilities, including meal delivery
  • Legal, accounting, insurance and real estate services
  • Manufacturing and distribution for supplying essential products for health care, pharmacies, food and beverage, waste pickup and disposal, food and beverage, energy, mining, construction
  • Critical labor union functions
  • Hotels and motels - must close swimming pools, hot tubs and exercise facilities
  • Higher educational institutions for purposes of distance learning
 
The order closes:
  • All schools and public libraries.
  • Amusement parks, swimming pools, zoos, playgrounds, theaters, concert halls, country clubs and gyms and fitness centers.
  • Salons and spas.
 
Who and when you can leave your home:
  • Anyone seeking medical care. 
  • Anyone taking care of a family member, friend or pet in another household.
  • Anyone picking up prescription medication.
  • Anyone going to the grocery store for themselves or for others to get necessary supplies
  • Anyone engaging in outdoor activity and exercise. State parks are open; playgrounds are closed.
  • Workers at healthcare facilities, pharmacies, blood donation centers, eye care centers, home health agencies
  • Long list of places in this category - see the order for more details 
  • Workers at manufacturers and warehouse operators and distributors of medical equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), pharmaceuticals, blood and blood products, vaccines, testing materials, laboratory supplies, cleaning, sanitizing disinfecting or sterilization supplies, and tissue and paper towel products.
  • Individuals may leave their residence to work for or obtain services at any state, institutional, or community-based setting providing human services to the public.
  • Long list of places in this category such adult day care, adoption agencies, shelters for victims of domestic abuse, people with disabilities - see the order for more details
  • Individuals may leave their residence to provide any services or perform any work necessary to offer, provide, operate, maintain, and repair Essential Infrastructure.
  • Distribution facilities, construction companies, airports, utilities - again a long list of examples in the order 
  • Veterinarians can go to work; non essential animal services should stop
Help for Workers
If your job is being affected by the Coronavirus, help is available from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

Click on the picture to find helpful links and answers to many questions.
Help for Businesses
Disaster loans are available from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Click not their logo to apply and check your application status.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is created a Small Business 20/20 program to help companies affected by the emergency declaration regarding the COVID-19 virus.

Click on the picture for more information.
Voting Information
On Thursday, I emailed you information on which communities are allowing in-person absentee voting. Click on the button to see if you can vote early in your area.

Nearly every community needs poll workers for the April 7th election. If you are willing to help, please contact your local clerk for more information.
On Friday, Governor Evers directed the Legislature to send millions of ballots to voters in Wisconsin. 

The Governors' actions created more confusion for Wisconsinites throughout our state. Earlier this week he released a "Safer-at-Home" order with little detail and today he offered a "simple solution" to send millions of ballots in just 10 day.

You can read the rest of my statement here.
Federal Stimulus Bill
On Friday, Congress passed a $2 trillion stimulus bill that could send you $1,200 per person and $500 per child under 17.

The National Conference of State Legislatures has a breakdown on what the legislation could mean for you.

Click on the picture for more.
Tax Deadlines Extended
Both the Internal Revenue Service and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue are extending the deadlines to file your taxes to July 15th.

You will not have to file an extension.
Coronavirus Testing Available
If you need testing for COVID-19, a number of local health care providers are providing tests.


Please call your health provider before going to a hospital or clinic.
How to Help
Concordia University in Mequon is making sure health care professionals get the equipment they need during this crisis by 3D printing N95 respirator masks.

They've also created a GoFundMe page to raise money to pay for the supplies they need to make more masks. Click the picture to donate if you are able.
The Coronavirus outbreak is leading to a major blood shortage. The Red Cross and Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin are looking for healthy donors to give blood and platelets for patients in need.

Click on the links to schedule an appointment.